Idaho Gay Marriage Put on Hold

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal appeals court has temporarily put plans for Idaho same-sex weddings on hold while it considers the state's request for a longer stay. The state's gay marriage ban was overturned Tuesday when U.S. District Judge Candy Dale said the law unconstitutionally denied gay and lesbian residents their fundamental right to marry. Dale said Idaho must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples starting Friday morning. But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday put the weddings on hold while it considers a request for a longer stay while the governor and attorney general appeal the case. The four couples who sued to get Idaho's ban overturned had asked the court to allow the weddings to begin. Gay marriage is legal in 17 states and the District of Columbia.